ECI celebrates World Environment Day
ECI celebrates World
Environment Day
Our endeavor is to make elections and related infrastructure more eco-friendly:
EC Anup Chandra Pandey
Election
Commissioner Shri Anup Chandra Pandey along with Secretary General Shri Umesh
Sinha, Director General Shri Dharmendra Sharma and other senior officers of ECI
today planted saplings at India International Institute of Democracy and
Election Management (IIIDEM), New Delhi premises on the occasion of World
Environment Day.
Why is it in news?
The
Commission also unveiled a booklet and inaugurated an exhibition on various
eco-friendly initiatives taken by the Election Commission of India and Chief
Electoral Officers in the States during elections.
Addressing
the occasion, Election Commissioner Shri Anup Chandra Pandey said Reduce, Reuse
and Recycle is an integral motto of our approach for environmentally sound
election management practices.
Highlights
· Celebration of Environment
Day every year reaffirms its importance. This year’s Environment Day focus is
on ‘Living Sustainably in Harmony with Nature’ and the apt slogan “Only One
Earth”. He added that ECI with initiatives like digitization of various
processes like online facilitation for registration of voters; Apps like
Voter Helpline App, SUVIDHA portal, KYC App, cVigil, e-EPIC, PwD app, Voter
Turnout App to digitize processes catering to various stakeholders; online
nomination facility for candidates; avoiding single use plastic in display
materials for voter awareness; ensuring proper waste disposal management; has
endeavored to ensure environment friendly elections.
· Shri Pandey appreciated the
meticulous planning and execution of disposal of biomedical waste during the
Bihar Assembly elections 2020 held amidst COVID Pandemic, as an example and
case study for other CEOs to emulate.
· ECI has directed all its
State CEOs to ensure compliance to Plastic and Solid Waste Management rules as
notified by the Government. The teams have also been asked to take due care to
ensure that publicity material like flex, pamphlets, bags etc. should be
as per Government’s guidelines and avoiding ‘Single Use Plastics’.
· The exhibition unveiled on
the occasion showcased various initiatives and innovations taken by the CEOs in
ensuring green elections, like Model eco-friendly polling stations set up in
Goa & Puducherry using Coconut shells, palm leaves; use of eco-friendly
seed pens by polling personnel in Meghalaya, the ‘Grow With Democracy’
plantation drive in Assam’s Kakoijana Reserve Forest where 32,000 saplings were
planted in a record time of 32 minutes, are amongst some noteworthy
initiatives. A major push has been given for eco-friendly infrastructure,
with many CEOs adopting LED lighting, rainwater harvesting systems and solar
panels in their office premises and EVM warehouses. The recently launched
Integrated Election Complex in Bakhtawarpur is an eco-friendly and green
building with minimum energy demand and solar panels installed on the rooftop.
Further, many CEOs have been working to adopt e-office systems for paperless
offices.
· The exhibition will
continue to be hosted in IIIDEM for information of national and international
participants of varied courses coming periodically to the campus.
Union Minister Shri Bhagwant Khuba launches NSEFI’s Pan-India Rooftop Solar Awareness Campaign
Union Minister Shri
Bhagwant Khuba launches NSEFI’s Pan-India Rooftop Solar Awareness Campaign
Shri
Bhagwant Khuba, Minister of State for New and Renewable
Energy launched the Pan-India Rooftop Solar Awareness
Campaign in an event at Bidar, Karnataka in the presence of Shri V Sunil Kumar,
Minister of Energy & Kannada Culture, Government of Karnataka, Shri Sunil
Kumar, Chief General Manager, NTPC Ramagundam, Shri Pranav R Mehta, Chairman,
NSEFI, Shri Subrahmanyam Pulipaka, CEO, NSEFI, Sri Chandrakant Baswaraj Patil,
Chairman, KREDL and Shri Govinda Reddy, IAS, DC, Bidar.
Why is it in news?
During
the launch ceremony held yesterday, Shri Khuba said that without the
involvement of people, no big idea can succeed. He added that Rooftop Solar provides
an opportunity to the common person to make his contribution towards Global
Warming & Climate Change. He further said that this campaign titled “GHAR
KE UPAR SOLAR IS SUPER” shall aim at mobilizing local government, citizens,
RWAs, and Municipalities to spread awareness of Solar Rooftop. Shri Khuba spoke
about growth of RE sector in India.
Highlights
· Highlighting Panchamrit
targets set by Modiji, Shri Khuba said that ministry is working towards
achieving target of 500 GW of non-fossil by 2030. He added that rooftop solar
will play major role and Tier-2 & Tier-3 cities offer maximum potential in
achieving this target. He said that Karnataka alone has the potential of 1 GW
rooftop solar. The minister highlighted that MNRE is providing 40% of subsidy
for households to install solar. Hence he urged public to install rooftop by
utilizing subsidy from central government. Shri Khuba said that he has ordered
for installing Rooftop solar at his residence in Bidar.
· Shri V Sunil Kumar shared
RE plans of Karnataka government. He highlighted PM-KUSUM scheme and urged
farmers to utilize the benefits being offered by MNRE and state government.
· In this scheme farmers will
be given 30% subsidy each by centre and state to install solar pumps.
· NSEFI, with the support of
the German Solar Association (BSW) and the German Federal Ministry of Economic
Cooperation and Development (BMZ) under the Sequa KVP Programme, is launching a
3 year long, Pan India Rooftop Awareness Program aimed at increasing awareness
of Solar Rooftops among 100 Indian towns and cities, especially tier 2 and tier
3 towns/cities.
INDIA BANGLADESH JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE “EX SAMPRITI-X” TO COMMENCE IN BANGLADESH
INDIA BANGLADESH JOINT
MILITARY EXERCISE “EX SAMPRITI-X” TO COMMENCE IN BANGLADESH
As part of the ongoing India
Bangladesh bilateral defence cooperation, a joint military training exercise Ex
SAMPRITI-X is being conducted at Jashore Military Station in Bangladesh from 05
June to 16 June 2022.
Why is it in news?
Exercise SAMPRITI is an important
bilateral defence cooperation endeavour conducted alternately by both countries
which aims to strengthen and widen the aspects of interoperability and
cooperation between both the armies. The aim of the exercise is to strengthen
interoperability between the two armies and to understand each other’s tactical
drills and operational techniques. The Indian contingent of company strength is
being represented by a Battalion of the DOGRA Regiment and the contingent
departed by road for the exercise location on 4 Jun 2022.
Highlights
·
During the joint military exercise
Ex SAMPRITI-X, armies of both the Nations will share expertise in multiple
simulated scenarios of Counter Terrorism, Humanitarian Assistance &
Disaster Relief and UN Peacekeeping Force under UN mandate. The exercise
schedule is progressively planned in such a manner that the participants will
initially get familiar with each other’s organisational structure and tactical
drills. As the exercise progresses, joint tactical exercises will be conducted
wherein the joint battle drills of both contingents will be practised. The
exercise will culminate with a final validation exercise in which troops of
both armies will jointly practice a Counter-Terrorism Operation in a simulated
environment.
In addition to sharing best practices and understanding each other at the
tactical level, this exINDIA BANGLADESH JOINT
MILITARY EXERCISE “EX SAMPRITI-X” TO COMMENCE IN BANGLADESH
As part of the ongoing India
Bangladesh bilateral defence cooperation, a joint military training exercise Ex
SAMPRITI-X is being conducted at Jashore Military Station in Bangladesh from 05
June to 16 June 2022.
Why is it in news?
Exercise SAMPRITI is an important
bilateral defence cooperation endeavour conducted alternately by both countries
which aims to strengthen and widen the aspects of interoperability and
cooperation between both the armies. The aim of the exercise is to strengthen
interoperability between the two armies and to understand each other’s tactical
drills and operational techniques. The Indian contingent of company strength is
being represented by a Battalion of the DOGRA Regiment and the contingent
departed by road for the exercise location on 4 Jun 2022.
Highlights
·
During the joint military exercise
Ex SAMPRITI-X, armies of both the Nations will share expertise in multiple
simulated scenarios of Counter Terrorism, Humanitarian Assistance &
Disaster Relief and UN Peacekeeping Force under UN mandate. The exercise
schedule is progressively planned in such a manner that the participants will
initially get familiar with each other’s organisational structure and tactical
drills. As the exercise progresses, joint tactical exercises will be conducted
wherein the joint battle drills of both contingents will be practised. The
exercise will culminate with a final validation exercise in which troops of
both armies will jointly practice a Counter-Terrorism Operation in a simulated
environment.
In addition to sharing best practices and understanding each other at the
tactical level, this exercise is an opportunity for greater cultural
understanding to strengthen trust and cooperation between armies of both the
Nations. The exercise will benefit both the armies by gaining from each other’s
vast experience which will further contribute to peace and stability in the
region.
ercise is an opportunity for greater cultural
understanding to strengthen trust and cooperation between armies of both the
Nations. The exercise will benefit both the armies by gaining from each other’s
vast experience which will further contribute to peace and stability in the
region.
India has achieved the target of 10 percent ethanol blending, 5 months ahead of schedule
India has achieved the
target of 10 percent ethanol blending, 5 months ahead of schedule
Government
of India, with the aim to enhance India’s energy security, reduce import
dependency on fuel, save foreign exchange, address environmental issues and
give a boost to domestic agriculture sector, has been promoting the Ethanol
Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme.
Why is it in news?
The
‘National Policy on Biofuels’ notified by the Government in 2018 envisaged an
indicative target of 20% ethanol blending in petrol by year 2030. However,
considering the encouraging performance, due to various interventions made by
the Government since 2014, the target of 20% ethanol blending was advanced from
2030 to 2025-26.
Highlights
· A “Roadmap for Ethanol
Blending in India 2020-25” was also released by the Hon’ble Prime Minister in
June, 2021 which lays out a detailed pathway for achieving 20% ethanol
blending. This roadmap also mentioned an intermediate milestone of 10% blending
to be achieved by November, 2022.
· However, due to the
coordinated efforts of the Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) the
target of 10% blending under the programme has been achieved much ahead of the
targeted timelines of November, 2022 wherein the Public Sector OMCs have attained
an average 10% ethanol blending in petrol across the country.
·
This
achievement in the course of last 8 years has not only augmented India’s energy
security but also translated into a forex impact of over Rs.41,500 crores,
reduced GHG emissions of 27 lakh MT and also led to the expeditious payment of
over Rs.40,600 crores to farmers.
· With all the initiatives
taken by the Government, the EBP Programme is on track to achieve the target of
20% blending by 2025-26.
Vice President begins his three-day visit to Qatar; holds delegation level talks with the Prime Minister of Qatar
Vice President begins his
three-day visit to Qatar; holds delegation level talks with the Prime Minister
of Qatar
Presence of 7.8 lakh Indian in Qatar as a testament to the close
people-to-people ties between two countries – Vice President
VP thanks Qatar government for looking after the welfare of Indian community
The
Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu arrived in Qatar yesterday, on the last
leg of his ongoing three-nation tour. Shri Naidu is the first ever Vice
President of India to visit the State of Qatar and was received by H.E. Soltan
bin Saad Al Muraikhi, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs on his arrival at
Doha airport. Thereafter, he was given a rousing welcome by the members of the
Indian community at the hotel.
Why is it in news?
Today
the Vice President called on H.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Father of
Amir of Qatar and then he held delegation level talks with H.E. Sheikh Khalid
bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of Qatar.
Highlighting
that India and Qatar have historic ties built on mutual trust and respect, H.H.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, father of Amir of Qatar hoped that more
investments can be made by Qatar in India and more industrial and business
houses can establish economic ties with Qatar. The Vice President and
father of Amir agreed that there is a huge potential to diversify trade between
the two countries, have comprehensive energy partnership; and a mutually
beneficial investment partnership between India and Qatar.
Highlights
· Appreciating that Qatar’s
investment in India has grown five times since March 2020, Shri Naidu opined,
“it is still well below potential and can be substantially increased.” He also
said that there is a keen interest in the private Indian business community to
build partnerships with Qatar.
· The Vice President lauded
Qatar for emerging as an education hub in the region and expressed happiness
over several Indian universities opening offshore campuses in Qatar.
· While discussing the health
sector, Shri Naidu mentioned the useful contribution made by Indian health
professionals in the health sector in Qatar.
· The Vice President further
said that with nearly 800 US FDA approved manufacturing units, India takes
pride in being the ‘Pharmacy of the World’, and supplies a large number of
medicines to the US and Europe. He noted that India would also be happy to work
with Qatar in the area of traditional medicine.
· Observing that nearly 40%
of our gas requirements are met from Qatar, Shri Naidu said that India deeply
values Qatar's role in its energy security and underscored the need to move
beyond buyer- seller relationship into a comprehensive energy partnership.
· Highlighting India’s focus
on green development, the Vice President wanted Qatar to be India’s partner in
this new journey.
· Recognising that the
pandemic has accelerated the digital transformation, Shri Naidu listed several
achievements by India in this field such as digital payments. He underlined
that this area has huge potential for collaboration between both the countries.
· Congratulating Qatar for
hosting the FIFA World Cup 2022 and on being selected as host nation for the
Asian Games 2030, the Vice President called for more youth exchange programs
between the two countries.
· Emphasising that India attaches
high importance to its deep rooted centuries old ties with Qatar, the Vice
President said that the pearl trade and the dhows provided the deep connect
that is reflected today in the commonalities of culture, cuisine and cinema.
· Referring to the landmark
visits by His Highness the Amir to India in 2015 and the Prime Minister Shri
Narendra Modi’s visit to Qatar in 2016, Shri Naidu said that our relations are
driven by close chemistry between the leadership of the two countries. He
thanked Qatari leadership for taking care of the 7.8 lakh Indians in Qatar. We
are happy to note that Indians are found in all walks of life and have become a
part and parcel of Qatar's developmental journey, he added.
· On this occasion, Shri
Naidu also reiterated the Indian community’s long standing request for a prayer
hall and a crematorium in Qatar.
· Mentioning that Qatar is
not just among the countries with highest per capita income; but also the top
gas supplier to the world, the Vice President said that he was deeply impressed
with the strides being made by Qatar in its development journey.
· During this visit, the Vice
President is being accompanied by Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, Minister of State
for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Sushil Kumar Modi, Member of Parliament,
Shri Vijay Pal Singh Tomar, Member of Parliament, Shri P. Raveendranath, Member
of Parliament and senior officials from the Vice President’s Secretariat and
the Ministry of External Affairs.